(This won’t be much of a diary and am only using this forum feature because I think it’s important and it’s not been given any attention here. I’ve been relying on Glenn Greenwald’s tweets (the one’s in English since I don’t read Portuguese) to keep me informed of this travesty.)
The Guardian — Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff impeached by senate in crushing defeat
Brazil’s first female president Dilma Rousseff has been thrown out of office by the country’s corruption-tainted senate after a gruelling impeachment trial that ends 13 years of Workers’ party rule.
Following a crushing 61 to 20 defeat in the upper house, she will be replaced for the remaining two years and four months of her term by Michel Temer, a centre-right patrician who was among the leaders of the campaign against his former running mate.
…
Surprise Surprise
Temer received support from the United States, which implicitly rejected claims that Rousseff had been removed in a coup. US State Department spokesman, John Kirby said, “We are confident we will continue our strong bilateral relationship. This was a decision made by the Brazilian people and obviously we respect that … Brazilian democratic institutions have acted within its constitutional framework.
…
He has promised to introduce austerity measures that will restore Brazil’s credit ratings, which under Rousseff fell to junk levels. This is popular with investors, but not with the public. His approval ratings are only a fraction above those of his predecessor and he was roundly booed during the Olympic opening ceremony.
Glenn (sampling which doesn’t do his live tweeting over the weeks justice):
The man who will be installed as Brazil’s Pres today: at least 62% want him out of office.
“Brazilians overwhelmingly want me impeached. A court banned me from running. But I’m about to become President!!”
“My rightist party can’t win. I personally lost to both Dilma *and Lula. But now I’m installed as Foreign Minister!”
Brazil’s new President: 1) could never be elected president; 2) is banned 8 yrs from running; 3) is the target of multiple investigations.
But, but:
Indian journalist @ShobhanSaxena: Brazil’s installed govt is moving away from BRICS & back to subservience to US
UPDATE: From Glenn again
Senators who voted YES to impeach Dilma admit that she committed no crime.
Impeachment coups just took a huge step forward in the ease and legitimacy of how they can be accomplished.
